Customer Reviews

Fall of Hyperion

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Dan Simmon's `The Fall of Hyperion' is not a sequel, but rather the second half of the unfinished story, `Hyperion'. While `Hyperion' was unique in its six wonderful tales as told by six people on a pilgrimage, `The Fall of Hyperion' is more conventional, but is a real page-turner.

`The Fall of Hyperion' explains what happens to our travelers and delves into the purpose of the Shrike. It also expands greatly on the fairly thin plot exposed in `Hyperion'. Most readers should enjoy this well-conceived and engrossing end to the story. Together, `Hyperion' and `The Fall of Hyperion' rank up there with the best science fiction has to offer and I give it 9 out of 10, or a five star ranking. However, because the reader is required (unknowingly) to purchase both books, I give each book 8 out of 10 and a four star rating.

Those who have forsaken `The Fall of Hyperion' because it requires another purchase, are missing a rewarding experience. Those who have not yet read the Hyperion series are in for a treat. It is worth every penny of the two-book purchase price.

I'll spare you the synopsis. I was first skeptical of the odd looking cover and the interest in learning about the Seven Pilgrims, but Dan Simmons writes with breath-taking ferocity. The Hyperion series is the horrifying, wonderous, enchanting obsessive-stay-up-all-night to read thriller that I had been looking for, for years. The storyline unfolds in so many satisfying ways, the truth is always a chapter away. Hyperion's world is as rich as any other I've ever encountered. It is Asimov's Foundation with the kiddie gloves off. It's like the first 2 books of Dune before it gets weird with Leto II. ( You know what I mean) But I shall dare say this.

Hyperion is better.

Way better.

It is beautiful, brutal, incredible, satisfying and deserving of every sci-fi fan's adoration. It was amazing enough for me that I'm actually here writing a review imploring you to not only buy this book, but buy it NEW so that Dan Simmons can get rewarded with your hard earned money. Or you can be a miser and say to hell with Dan Simmons. Whatever the case, just buy this book. (It has the first two "Hyperion" and "Fall of Hyperion".) And pick up Endymion and The Rise of Endymion while you're at it. Now!!!! (Click)

And this book knocks 'em over. I love reading stories in which "everything you know is wrong". Simmons takes the characters and events recounted in "Hyperion" and swallows them whole in a tale that had me scraping my brains off the back wall. The introduction of M. Severn and Meina Gladstone makes for two of the more fascinating and deep characters I think I've ever read. The former is a cipher, reflecting the events taking place hundreds of light-years away (those of "Hyperion") and interpreting them through a dead poet's thoughts. The other is a master politician, leader of a Hegemony that encompasses more billions of souls than almost is comprehensible. The sacrifices they both make to save themselves save humanity itself, but at a terrible price.

Some sections of the book are slow (I found the myriad battles with the Shrike tedious) the majority of the tale is fast moving, incredibly rich and believable, and astounding in its plot and details. This book and its predecessor are simply two of the finest works of literature in any genre, and are utterly entertaining.

I've handed copies of the "Hyperion" books over to probably 20 friends over the last 8-9 years, and had never had any of them returned to me. I don't care ... these books are *that* good.

'Fall of Hyperion' follows the style of an epic which can be read on many levels. It is an analysis of John Keats's poetry, the relationship of God and Man, whether there is a God at all, and the purpose of human suffering all at once--and this to name just a few. I do not think it should be judged in comparison with the first book, as they are both extremely different in structure. 'Hyperion' is a tight novel centering on the past lives of the pilgrims, while 'Fall of Hyperion' is an intricately woven tapestry much akin to epics such as 'Dune'. Both are ingenious in their respective approaches to theme and character.

The new character viewpoints, Severn and Paul Dure, are well-developed, and Meina Gladstone is a tragic gem of characterization. The other characters undergo trials that stretch them to the limits, and lend a glimpse into the fragility of humankind. My only complaint is Kassad, who never feels real, though the author obviously admires him very much. His relationship with Moneta was a disappointment to me, as it never developed beyond sex, yet is referred to as 'love'. I didn't see it, and therefore didn't buy it.

'Fall' contains the same trauma and horror from 'Hyperion', on a deeper and larger scale, making some scenes intensely painful to read. But with the pain comes a massive wellspring of emotion which, though still painful, is ultimately a pain which shapes and refines. Simmons is unafraid to go where other authors dare not, and for that he is deserving of praise. The action is such that there is never a slow moment, and the surprises are endless. Without question, Simmons knows how to weave a story.

The multiple themes running through this book are difficult to follow. Somehow Simmons meant to tie the poetry of John Keats with questions relating to the nature of God and humanity, but this is done with such complicated strokes that the book probably needs to be re-read many times to be fully appreciated. I for one developed an interest in Keats as a result of reading this book--not to mention an affection for 'Mister John Keats, five feet high'.

I'm somewhat surprised by some of the reviews for the Hyperion series, especially the latter two, Endymion and Rise of Endymion. I agree that Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion are the /slightly/ stronger of the four, but again they are the foundational works which support the rest of the series, which branches off into a more ornate, but steadfast, structure. Looking at the structure of the Hyperion saga as a whole, both as science fiction and as literary fiction, few stories come close to matching the width and depth of Simmon's conceptualization of the future.

Sci-fi ornamentation aside, much of the saga's strength lies in it's most literary qualities. The plot is epic and the characters are depthful and realistic, but Simmons raises the bar a notch above the average space opera's best, weaving a rich tapestry of allusion and parallelism that would challenge literary fiction's finest offerings.

Stylistically, Simmons writes with detailed clarity and a dry sense of humor that underpins every book in this series. While the story may bog at times during the particular verbose descriptions of the latter stories, the pacing is never derailed. Necessarily with any work of fiction, there are miniscule lapses of continuity and logicality. (What /did/ happen to Leigh Hunt?) But I would argue that these nits are so glaring only because the whole of the series is so well-implemented. To remain quotable, the saga is a spectacular tour-de-force, breathtaking in scope with heart-touching characters. Please read these books.

I enjoyed "Hyperion" (see my 4-star review) and, upon finishing, I eagerly started "The Fall of Hyperion". I was anxious to find out the fate of our brave pilgrims. 500 pages later, I didn't even care about them anymore.

Rather than focusing on the characters in the first book that I had grown to care so much about, in "Fall", the author follows two new main characters that are not well developed, and tend to be only passive observers of the universe around them. Also, the style of this sequel is very different from the first book. Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger, and the next one picks up with a different character's story. Used sparingly, this technique can build suspense, but here it is irritating. There were many times when I was tempted to just skip ahead so I could follow a particular storyline. In general the writing feels sloppy and rushed.

Another annoying aspect of "The Fall of Hyperion" is the overabundance of exposition and explanation. Not only does Simmons waste dozens of pages, recapping the events of the first book, he even recaps things that happened 100 pages earlier in this< book. The whole thing could have been edited down to 100 pages, and tacked on as a final section of "Hyperion".

All this being said, there are some exciting moments every once in a while, and it's nice to learn how the story of "Hyperion" ends. Still, I can't say it was worth suffering through all the filler. I don't think I'll be progressing any further in this series.

My brother gave me this very good book, which collects the Hugo Award winning book "Hyperion" and "The Fall of Hyperion." The two books are two parts of a single story and need to be read together, which makes this omnibus invaluable. Thank you brother! I have read less science fiction in recent years, principally because of the difficulty of finding good science fiction. These two books are great if you like science fiction that requires concentration and analysis.

In the 29th century, mankind is under threat of invasion by the Ousters. An invincible robot-like creature called the Shrike may hold the key to defeating the ousters. However, the Shrike may also be the doom of mankind. Seven pilgrims and one child journey to see the Shrike. In "Hyperion," we learn that each pilgrim was selected for various reasons that relate to Hyperion and often to the Shrike itself.

After the pilgrims have gathered on a treeship, a spaceship as bizarre as any I have seen described in science fiction, the pilgrims each tell their stories in turn. Since some of the stories are quite lengthy, the stories continue after the pilgrims land on Hyperion and journey to the Time Tombs. Each story explains the background of the pilgrims, the political situation and history of mankind up to the 29th century, and gives intriguing backgrounds to the pilgrims. I generally found the stories interesting, though the story of the poet was the most boring, at first. The poet's story becomes more interesting as it nears the end, and we learn in "The Fall of Hyperion" that the poet's story is critical.

I found many aspects of this novel interesting and unique. There are the people who follow the crucifix; people who may potentially live forever. There are the catacombs below Hyperion. Who built the catacombs and what is their purpose? What is the nature of the Shrike, including its incredible power to manipulate time? How did Rachel come grow younger each day after an encounter with the Time Tombs? What does the artificial intelligence Technocore have to do with the Ousters and the Shrike? This book asks many more questions, and the journey through "The Fall of Hyperion" will provide the answers.

As the pilgrims journey to Hyperion and then to the Time Tombs on Hyperion, the Ousters approach Hyperion, and the pilgrimage becomes a race against time. Rachel continues to grow younger each day, approaching the date of her birth. What will happen to Rachel then?

In "Hyperion" we learned the story of each of the Pilgrims. In this book each of the pilgrims encounters the Shrike, and others, in their own way. We finally learn the true nature of Rachel's decreasing age, and learn that Rachel's life is very complex. We also learn the nature of the Shrike and the Technocore. What of the Ousters, on their way to invading Human worlds? Are they prepared to conquer all mankind for reasons we have yet to fathom?

"The Fall of Hyperion" fully reveals the epic started in "Hyperion." This incredibly complex story is one of the best science fiction novels I have read in two decades. I compare this novel to Asimov's Foundation Trilogy and to Herbert's "Dune." There may be a few slow moments in this book, but those moments are necessary to set up the ending of this incredible novel. Be warned, this story is heavy going and will demand a lot of concentration to get to the end.

I enjoy a challenging science fiction book, and these two books are challenging. The novels are Dickensian in complexity. Read this omnibus only when you have the time and desire to read a story that requires intense concentration and analysis.

This sequel to "Hyperion" does a good job of tying up the loose ends from "Hyperion" however without the Chaucerian conceit, it reads just like an adventure tale. That's not bad if that's what you're after, but I like my sci-fi to have a bit more meat on its bones.

The world is still superb and even more worked out. The Shrike is even more in evidence and still cool.

The resolution, however, is a bit too mamby pamby for me. Simmons tries to switch so many genres in the first book that in the second one he ends on too triumphant a note. Too long to go for such little emotional/intellectual payoff.

I would like to start this review by highly recommending the first book in this series (Hyperion). That remains one of the best Sci Fi novels I have ever read and I have read a lot of Sci Fi in my life.

Having said that, it is difficult for any book to compare. In this case even the author himself has failed to write a book that can withstand comparison. But since it is a sequel to the first book I do think it is fair to stand one against the other.

The Fall of Hyperion has a fantastic plot that could have beautifully filled about 150 pages. Unfortunately the book is 517 pages and a big chunk of that was painfully retelling the story of the first book. That is a good thing if you were reading this as a standalone but it is tedious if you have already read the first book. I went into "skim mode" in order to get to the important parts (a clear indication that a book is bloated).

I think that there were too many stories being told at once with no one story being fully developed. We read about the unfolding of events from the perspective of at least 1/2 dozen characters (sometimes as 3rd person observer of events and sometimes reading the thoughts of the characters). I can see what Dan was shooting for here and it was ambitious but in the end it became a distraction. Since the unfolding plot is told from multiple POVs the story winds up being told more than once.

Overall this is not a bad book but it is very long and repetitive. The plot is complex and fascinating but you may find yourself skimming entire chapters to get back to the plot development.

Hyperion, artistically, is one of the craftiest novels I've ever read. Fall Of Hyperion was different in style, but I think I found it more entertaining.
In Hyperion, Simmons' format was the short story, where we were given each of the pilgrim's different tales, one at a time. By the end of each story you are intensely caught up in that pilgrim, and can't wait to see what happens to him (or her) next. But then Simmons is pretty much done with that character for the rest of the book, and moves on to the next with similar result. The waiting was agony- a true credit to his masterful ability.
In Fall of Hyperion (which is more like a normal novel), we finally find out what is in store for our pilgrims, and it was well worth the wait! Now he switches back and forth between each of the main characters on a regular basis, revealing a little more each time. Normally, when you have this many main characters, you find yourself bored by some, and can't wait to get back to others- In Fall Of Hyperion, I enjoyed each of them, almost equally, for one very smooth-paced, entertaining read.
The two books, together, make an amazing duology, with everything solved rather nicely by the end... Which leaves me quite curious as to what we will see in the next two!